The U.S. Department of Education announced on Thursday Jan 20 that Community colleges and institutions in rural areas will be prioritized in another $198 million of federal coronavirus relief aid. Jeremy Bauer-Wolf of Higher Ed DIVE also reports that, in addition, new guidance is being presented to colleges on how to use the institutional portion of the $40 billion dedicated in March 2021 to colleges to help students who are challenged to pay for basic needs like rent, child care, and food—-let alone college. This new pool of money is another disbursement of the American Rescue Plan.
As at the Nov. 16, 2021 Board of Trustees meeting, it was announced that NCC still has $28 million of unspent CARES funding, this guidance on how to spend the money may be helpful.
Some states used funds to reduce college tuition or for infrastructure to reduce the threat of Covid. Bauer-Wolf also notes that, to date, five million in grants have been awarded to community colleges that serve high shares of Hispanic students.
The U.S. Department of Education will start accepting applications from colleges for further coronavirus relief the week of Jan. 24.
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A recent report indicated that the problems students have that is keeping them away from their education are more related to their family situations than the actual cost of college. Expanded childcare services, help in making sure that the family is food “secure,” realistic rent, transportation issues, and even family health issues should be considered as appropriate areas to expend these funds.